Patent GB-1395972-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for trimming a wire and inserting the trimmed end into an electrical contact
Inventor: BREHM RONALD C
IPC: H01R4/24
Filed: 1972-10-06
Abstract: 1395972 Making electrical connections, shearing AMP Inc 6 Oct 1972 [15 Oct 1971 1 March 1972] 46182/72 Headings B3A and B3W [Also in Division B4] Apparatus for trimming a wire 2 and inserting the trimmed wire into a slot of an electrical contact 4 which is one of a row of contacts in an electrical connector 6, comprises an insertion ram 91 reciprocable relative to a frame which provides a guideway extending transversely to the path of the ram, releasable positioning means mounted on the frame to position successive individual contacts in alignment with the ram, wire locating means on the frame to locate a wire in the path of the ram, and a wire trimming element on the ram and co-operable with a wire trimming element fixed on the frame adjacent the path of the ram to trim a wire located in the path of the ram during an insertion stroke. A connector 6 is placed on a carriage 29, Fig. 13, and a cable 296 is clamped adjacent the connector. A solenoid operated lever (232), Fig. 12 (not shown), moves pawls 164, 166, 168, so that the carriage 29 can travel leftwardly and when the lever (232) is released the pawls 164, 166 engage rack sections 204, 206 mounted under the carriage. A pair of wires is selected from a bundle 298 and pulled downwardly over a separator 126, Fig. 11, and over stops 99, 99<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 18, until switch arms 132, 132<SP>1</SP> are depressed. A solenoid 144, Fig. 13, is then energized thereby engaging a clutch 138 and rotating a shaft 136 through one revolution. A tracked cam disc operates linkages which move clamping rams 97, 97<SP>1</SP> to clamp the wires in recesses 110, 110<SP>1</SP> and insertion rams 91, 91<SP>1</SP> to trim the wires between edges 107, 107<SP>1</SP> and fixed shear plates 93, 93<SP>1</SP>. The leading ends of the rams push the trimmed wires into the wire-receiving positions of the terminals and punches 103, 103<SP>1</SP> drive the wires into slots 16, Fig. 7, the edges of which cut through the insulation to establish electrical contact. The rams are retracted and shoulders 118 thereon engage shoulders 116 on the stops 99, 99<SP>1</SP> to move them clear of the wires 2, 2<SP>1</SP> to permit indexing of the carriage 29. When the rams are fully retracted a cam 196 on the shaft 136 actuates a lever 172 via a push-rod 182. The pawl 164 drives the carriage a distance corresponding to the space between adjacent contacts and as the pawl moves back to its starting position, the pawl 166 maintains the carriage stationary. The pawl 168 is moved through a longer stroke than the pawl 164, since the pivot point 216 of the arm 214 is lower than the pivot point 174 of the arm 172, and it is offset from the rack 204. The process is repeated until all the contacts are wired when the pawl 168 engages a tooth 230 to return the carriage to its original position. In an alternative hand held apparatus, Figs. 1, 2 (not shown), an insertion ram (72) is actuated by a trigger (58). The connector is indexed manually and is positioned by a spring loaded finger (94), which enters a space between adjacent barriers 30 on the connector, Fig. 7. The wires are inserted one at a time through an opening (78), Fig. 5 (not shown), in a bracket (94), the operator holding the free end of the wire taut during operation of the apparatus, and the ram (72) trims the wire as it moves over the top surface of the bracket.